Ranchi – Jharkhand’s centuries-old megalithic heritage is poised to be showcased on a global platform, with a state government delegation led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren set to present the region’s ancient stone monuments, cave art and distinctive landscapes at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, later this month.
The delegation will place comprehensive documentation on Jharkhand’s megalithic sites before the international community, aiming to initiate concrete measures for securing global recognition and conservation of these structures as world heritage sites.
Following the Davos engagements, the delegation will also travel to the United Kingdom. This marks the first time the Jharkhand government will participate in the WEF annual meeting. As per the official itinerary, the delegation will leave Jharkhand on January 18 and remain engaged in international programmes until January 26.
After Davos, the Chief Minister and accompanying officials will visit London and Oxford, where they will take part in initiatives focused on investment promotion and policy collaboration.
According to the state government’s public relations department, Jharkhand will present itself at Davos under the theme “harmony with nature and development”.
The delegation will participate in multiple sessions covering investment prospects, mineral resources, industrial infrastructure, energy transition, tourism and sustainable development. Alongside economic outreach, Jharkhand’s rich cultural and natural heritage will also be highlighted before a global audience.
The megalithic structures spread across Singhbhum, Hazaribagh and nearby regions are regarded as historically significant and are believed to have astronomical associations, including links to the movement of the sun and calculations of day and night.
The megalithic sites in the Pakri Barwadih area of Hazaribagh have often drawn comparisons with Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England.
Experts note that these ancient structures reflect a shared understanding of early human civilisation, where concepts of time, nature and the cosmos were expressed through stone architecture.
During the UK leg of the visit, Chief Minister Soren will also deliver a special lecture and participate in an interactive session at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.
The Jharkhand government views this international outreach as a crucial step towards gaining global recognition not only for the state’s economic potential but also for its distinctive and ancient megalithic heritage.
— IANS
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